During summer, wildfires are relatively common occurrences in the mountains of the western United States. We have learned that Earth is a system in which various parts of the four major spheres interact in uncountable ways. Let’s relate that idea to a wildfire in the western mountains.

a. What atmospheric conditions might have preceded and thus set the stage for this wildfire?
b. What might have ignited the blaze? Suggest a natural possibility and a human possibility.
c. Describe at least one way that wildfires, like the one shown here, might influence future mass-wasting processes.